The Office of Research sat down with Christine Corbett, D.N.P., CNP, FNP-BC, CNN–NP, ACHPN, FNKF, FANNA, Assistant Research Professor and the Executive Director of the Coalition for Supportive Care of Kidney Patients - to learn more about her and her work at GW.
Hometown
I was born to an Army Sergeant in El Paso, Texas, traveled to Alaska, and Washington State before moving to Missouri. I ultimately grew up in a small town in rural Missouri called Weston, and returned to that lovely community when my son was two years old.
Educational Background
I began my nursing career as a Certified Nurse Aide in a long-term care setting, eventually progressing through my LPN and ADN. My commitment to nursing and advanced practice led me to the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), where I earned both my BSN and MSN, graduating in 2007 as a Nurse Practitioner (APRN). In 2015, I returned to UMKC to complete my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Beyond my clinical degrees, I have expanded my expertise through the UMKC Bloch School of Business Strategic Leadership Program, the University Health Executive Fellowship, and certification as a HeartMath Trauma Informed Practitioner.
How I Got Interested In Research
My doctoral journey was transformative, revealing a new dimension of clinical practice. Immersing myself in reviewing literature and evidence-based project work empowered me to look beyond the status quo - to ask 'why,' seek out rigorous answers, and lead the implementation of change. This foundation is what drives my commitment to improving patient safety and quality of life, as well as championing the well-being of nurses and Advanced Practice Providers.
Current Work
I am currently working alongside Drs. Dale Lupu and Woody Moss, as well as many other amazing professionals, on the ExPAND study - a PCORI-funded initiative dedicated to expanding patient choice in kidney failure. Our recent work involved training nephrology sites in trauma-informed and culturally sensitive shared decision-making. We are now focused on helping these sites implement ACTIVE (Active Medical Care Without Dialysis) programs to support patients opting for conservative management.
In my role as Executive Director for the Coalition for Supportive Care of Kidney Patients, I am committed to elevating the standards of kidney supportive care, ensuring that symptom management and advance care planning are accessible to everyone, regardless of their disease stage.
Beyond the Coalition, I am co-leading the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF KDOQI) to redefine kidney disease education and recently co-authored the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Health Guidance for Conservative Management. I’m also excited to share that we’ve received funding from the American Nephrology Nurses Association to support the "I Hate Dialysis" social media group, allowing us to bring vital, evidence-based resources directly to patients and their care partners, through a collaborative approach with nephrology nursing.
Fun Facts
In 2023, my (then) 11 year old son and I gentled a wild mustang. Today, we are continuing her training under saddle, through a trauma informed approach. We have also adopted and gentled two wild burros. This has been such a rewarding experience for all of us, learning patience, trust, presence and mindfulness. I hope to one day support others in equine assisted trauma informed care.